USA > New Hampshire > The statistics and gazetteer of New-Hampshire. Containing descriptions of all the counties, towns and villages statistical tables with a list of state officers, etc. > Part 18
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
should " plant and cultivate " about 2,000 acres, in the first five years, a condition that, interested as many of them were in the settlement of other new townships, they found themselves unable to perform. In 1766, a few months before the five years expired, they dispatched Mr. John Salter, from Connecticut to Portsmouth, to apply " to the Gov- ernor and Council of New-Hamp- shire, for a continuation of their charter, and also for an addition to said township," and renewed their exertions to settle the township. But it should seem both their mis- sion and efforts substantially failed ; for two years afterwards, August 8, 1768, the Governor and Council, treating the Enfield eharter as for- feited, re-granted "all that tract or parcel of land, known by the name of Enfield, to be known by the name of Relham,"* to an entirely new set of 90 proprietors, most of whom resided in and around Portsmouth. And now began the " War of the Charters." The validity of each being stoutly asserted on the one side, and denied on the other, the conse- quence was, that titles under either were rendered uncertain and in- secure, and feuds and collisions occured between the claimants under the one, and those under the `ther, in attempting to reduce to possession, and occupy the same land. This state of things was finally put an end to, mainly through the efforts of Jesse John- son, Esq., who in 1779, in connec- tion with other owners under the Enfield charter, by equivalents,
* So named, probably, after some individu- al, as Relham or Rellian (it is spelled both ways) was not, at that time, the name of any place.
purchase, and compromises, suc- ceeded in extinguishing the entire claims under the Relham charter, thus leaving the Enfield charter undisputed and ending the "War of the Charters," which had dis- quieted the town during eleven years and retarded its settlement.
In 1775, 14 years after it was chartered, the population was but 50, and probably there were not over 10 male heads of families. In the following year, only 13 male adults signed the Declaration of Loyalty, none refusing. In 1790, 11 years after the close of the char- ter difficulties, the population had increased to 750, or about 100 families.
The first meeting house was built in 1798, and removed in 1848. The first minister settled was the Rev. Edward Evans, in 1799, and dismissed in 1805.
Origin of the Shaker Society. Tradition has it, that onet Wil-
The leading men of the Shakers, at En- field at the present time claim that this ver- sion, in every particular, is not correct. They claim that Ebenezer Cooley and Israel Chaun- cy, voluntarily, without invitation front Williams, came to Hartland, Vermont, and from thence, with one Zadock Wright, jour- neyed to Enfield, and called upon James Jew- ett, a resident of what is now called Shaker Hill, arriving September 1st, 1782, and the first Shaker meeting ever held in New-Hamp- shire was at the house of Asa Pattee, near Mr. Jewett's house. In 1793, the frame of a church was raised on the west shore of Mas- comy Lake, which house now stands, and is now occupied as a place for their public wor- ship.
The Shakers were not, in the early days, distinguished from others in their dress, and would not to-day, if the world did not yield to the calls of fashion. They now dress as every one did one hundred years ago.
They also claim they have not changed in their mode of worship, or their zeal ; but are just the same as they were eighty years ago. The world has changed to be more liberal in
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ENFIELD.
liams, a convert to this modified Quakerism, then living in Grafton, a town joining Enfield on the east, went to New-Lebanon, N. Y., and induced two of the preachers of the Shaker Society there, named Cooley and Chauncey, to return with him. We have the fact from a record made at the time, that on the 6th of September, 1782, these two men came to Joseph Flint's, Canaan, south road, and there preached; but gaining no adher- ents in that town, they went into the adjoining one, Enfield, and there succeeded in making con- verts of some of the staid and respectable farmers, and mechan- ics and their families - among whom were James Jewett, Ezek- iel Stevens, Asa Pattee, Benjamin Merrill and Zadock Wright, living on Jones Hill, and the hill after- wards called after them, Shaker Hill, on the northerly side of Mascomy Lake. They remained on these hills, gaining some new be- lievers, about ten years, till about 1792-when, effecting an exchange of land, they removed to the more fertile spot they have ever since occupied, with large additions, on the southerly side of the same lake. For the first ten years, they were not by their garb distinguished from the "World's People," as they
their views, and are willing to allow all classes the privilege to worship God agreeably to their own consciences. This is their view of the facts relative to the Shakers and the world's people. as they stood eighty years ago in Enfield, and to-day.
It is gratifying to have the Shakers allow that the world is progressing, and is not as intolerant, as years ago, if they do not claim any improvement in themselves. We are led to believe, however, that they, like all civil- ized people, have changed for the better, and have more liberal views than they had eighty years ago.
termed outsiders. Six years after their advent, they are called in the town records of 1788, "Shaking Quakers," and the selectmen are instructed to petition the legisla- ture, stating " their conduct, "and the situation of the town, and asking for a remedy. At the start, like other new sects, the Shakers were exceedingly wild, enthusias- tic and extravagent in their beliefs and religious exercises. But after a time, they gradually settled down into the sober, temperate, and rational people they now are and long have been. They have always been remarkable for honesty and industry. Like the same sect else- where, they hold their property in common, take on themselves vows of perpetual chastity, rejecting even the institution of marriage, and make dancing a part of their religious exercises. William Wil- liams is said to be the person who introduced the two preachers. He was an honest, but eccentric man, who, after living many years in society, left it, and continued to reside near it with his son William, a man of wit and worth, deputy sheriff, land-surveyor, town clerk. The old gent died at an advanced age, many years ago.
Notices of Early Settlers. Most of the early settlers of Enfield came from Connecticut, Haverhill and Chibano, a point near Salem, Mass., and Hampstead, Plaistow and South Hampton, N. H.
Johnson. Jesse Johnson, Esq., was from Hampstead. He made his first purchase in Enfield in 1778, and in the next six years be- came the owner of nearly a quar- ter of the township under its two charters. He passed much of his time in Enfield, superintending
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
the clearing of his land and erect- ing mills, from 1778 to March 1787, when he removed his family there, and resided there till his death, March 11, 1800, in his 68th year. In Enfield, he was made a magis- trate and Representative, and dis- charged the principal town offices.
Hon. Jesse Johnson, oldest son of the foregoing by his first mar- riage, was born in Hampstead, 1762. The subject of this notice in 1779, in his 17th year, walked to Enfield, through the wilderness, to aid in clearing his father's lands. The year after he became of age, he was appointed Justice of the Peace, an office he held 32 years, till his death; was Proprietor's Clerk, 30 years, one of the town's earliest land surveyors, its first magistrate and representative, a delegate to the convention that in 1792 formed the present State Con- stitution, Judge of Probate, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and in 1812, nominee of his party for Congress. He died Sept. 23, 1816, in his 54th year.
Gile. Johnson Gile, an exem- plary man, father of the late Dan- iel Gile, a gentleman of intelli- gence and worth, and grandfather of Ebenezer Gile, who occupies the homestead, of Dr. Aaron Gile, and of Mrs. Lydia (Gile) Conant, late wife of G. W. Conant, Esq., came to the town from Hopkinton, with his wife and two children, in 1779, and died there, March 14, 1790, aged 38.
Bingham. Elisha Bingham was born in Windham County Connec- ticut, and settled in Enfield about 1772. Though illiterate, he seems to have been a man of good capa- city, his name often occurring as a town officer. He had a large fam-
ily. His son Elias, born Aug. 29, 1772, was the first male child born in the town, and his daughter Phebe, born January 7, 1778, prob- ably the first female child. In 1787, Mr. B. removed, with his en- tire family, to Jay, Essex County, N. Y.
Paddleford. Jonathan Paddle- ford who has descendants in the town, was, if not the first, among the very first settlers. He came to Enfield with an adult family of sons and daughters, from Ashford, Windham County, Conn., where, as early as 1765; he purchased sev- eral pieces of land from the origi- nal proprietors under the ·Enfield charter, and removed to Enfield between that year and 1772. He erected the second grist mill in the town, afterwards known as Fol- lansbee's Mills, on Mascomy Riv- er, near where the Shaker Mills now stand. He died, July 13, 1783.
Bicknell. Capt. Nathan Bick- nell came to the town, with his wife and six children, in the spring of 1777, from Ashford, Conn., and resided east of East Pond, where his son Isaac after- wards lived. Bicknell's Brook was named after him He died in Enfield.
Jackman. Samuel Jackman, the ancestor of the Endfield Jack- man, was from Haverhill, Mass., and came to Enfield about 1779, when he bought there a full right of Jesse Johnson, Esq., on George Hill.
Sanborn. John Sanborn, land surveyor, joined the Shakers, left them and committed suicide about 1788. He lived on George Hill.
Kidder. Thomas Kidder came to the town, from Alstead, in 1786,
149
EPPING.
with his wife and children, who were all of the Shaker church. He was the father of Jason, born in 1781, long a principal man among the Shakers, and a gentle- man of refined manners, good tal- ents and sterling worth.
Merrill. Joseph Merrill, Esq., came to the town about 1795, from South Hampton, was Justice of the Peace, deputy sheriff, representa- tive, &c. He was a man of enter- prise and much influence.
Other early settlers before 1800. Archelaus Stevens, Joseph Mars- tin, Jonathan Johnson, Peter Johnson, Moses Johnson, Benja- min Merrill, Moses Rowell, Jacob Cochran, Capt. Asa Pattee, Theo- philus Clough, Moses Jones, Jacob Choate, Levi Webster, John John- son, half brother of Jesse.
Boundaries. North by Canaan, east by Grafton, south by Gran- tham, and west by Lebanon. Area, 24,060 acres; area of improved land, 15,425 acres.
Distances. Fifty-nine miles (by Northern railroad) north-west from Concord, twelve south-east from Dartmouth College, and one hundred and thirty-one miles by rail north-west from Boston. The original distance by stage, was 42 miles to Concord and 105 to Bos- ton.
Railroad. The Northern Rail- road passes through the north-west corner of the town.
EPPING.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. The sur- face of this town is moderately uneven, but the soil is generally good, and produces excellent crops of corn, oats, and hay. Many of the farms are cultivated with much care, and in such cases the
husbandman gets a good return for his labor, both in his crops, and in the increased value of his farm.
Rivers. Lamprey River, flow- ing from Deerfield and Raymond, receives the Pawtuckaway coming from Pawtuckaway pond, and runs through the whole length of the town from west to east, and north- east-North River coming from Northwood near Saddleback mountain passes through Deer- field and Nottingham, and joins the Lamprey, in the north part of the town. The Lamprey furnishes some good water power.
Villages. On Lamprey River, in the southern center of the town, is located the village of Epping Cor- ner. It is the seat of considerable trade and manufacturing. Here are three churches, two school houses, two large shoe manufacto- ries, woolen mill, saw and grist mills, other mechanical shops, four or five stores, one hotel, post, telegraph and express office, and about one hundred dwelling houses. At West Epping are two stores, woolen mill, saw mill, post- office and fifteen or twenty dwell- ing houses. About one mile north from Epping Corner is a fine street where fifty or sixty years ago the larger portion of business in tow was done. The large mansion houses, seen there now, plainly show that wealth and plenty dwelt there sixty years ago. On this street lived the Plummers, Ladds, and other prominent men who, in their day, were well known to the State, and many of them held re- sponsible positions in their town, State and nation.
Employments. The inhabitants are principally engaged in agricul- ture, but manufacturing is an im-
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
portant branch of industry. Over 280,000 pairs of sale shoes and boots are annually made, valued at $288,000; woolen goods are manu- factured to the value of $19,000; 58,000 shingles; 1,700,000 feet of boards and dimension timber are annually sawed, valued at $19,900; 10,000 bushels grain ground, $10, 000. There are also hub mills, blacksmith shops, planing mill, wheelwright shop, &c. Besides there are carpenters, painters, ma- sons and butchers. (See tables.)
Resources. Productions of the soil, '$102,064; mechanical labor, $74,500; money at interest and stocks, $28,300; deposits in sav- ings banks, $33,379; stock in trade, $39,125; summer tourists, $2,500; professional business, $10,000.
Churches and Schools. Congre- gational, Rev. J. H. Stearns, 100 members; value of church prop- erty, $ 3,000; Episcopal, H. Fergu- son, rector; 75 communicants ; value of church property, $ 3,500; Methodist, Rev. D. W. Downs, pastor, 100 members; value of church property, $2,000. There are eight schools in town; aver- age length for the year, nineteen weeks.
Hotel. Pawtuckaway House, val- ued at $5,000.
First Settlement. Epping was originally a part of Exeter, from which it was taken February 23, 1741. Its first settlement com- menced with the early history of New-Hampshire, long before it was severed from Exeter. One hundred years ago it had more in- habitants than at the present time, having a population of over 1,500, being the fourth town in the coun- ty and the fifth in the State. Wil- liam Plummer was one of its most
distinguished citizens. He was a member of the United States Sen- ate from 1802 to 1807, President of the State Senate in 1810, and chief magistrate of the State in 1812, 16, 17, and 18. William Plummer, Jr., was a member of Congress from 1819 to 1823. He died September 18, 1854, aged 65 years.
First Ministers. A Congrega- tional society was established in 1747. Rev. Robert Cutler was or- dained pastor in 1747; dismissed in 1755; Rev. Joseph Stearns, or- dained in 1758; died in 1788; Rev. Peter Holt, settled in 1793; dis- missed in 1821.
Boundaries. North by Notting- ham and Lee, east by Newmarket, South Newmarket and Exeter, south by Brentwood and Fremont, and west by Raymond and Not- tingham. Area, 12,960 acres; area of improved land, 8,575 acres.
Distances. Twenty-nine miles south-east from Concord, eighteen west from Portsmouth, and eight north-west from Exeter.
Railroads. Concord and Ports- mouth Railroad passes through the town, in an easterly and westerly direction. Nashua, Epping, and Rochester Railroad crosses the Concord and Portsmouth at Epping Corner. The Salisbury, Exeter and Epping Railroad will have its terminus here. With the grow- ing railroad facilities, no doubt but Epping will increase both in wealth and population, within the next ten years.
EPSOM.
MERRIMACK COUNTY. The sur- face of this town is generally un- even. The soil is good and well adapted for grazing and grain. There are some very fine interval
151
ERROL.
farms, producing fine crops of corn, oats, hay, &c.
Rivers and Ponds. Great and Little Suncook Rivers are the principal streams. They afford some very good water privileges, many of which are not improved to their full extent. Chesnut, Round, and Odiorne's Ponds are the principal bodies of water in this town.
Mountains. Mc Coy, Fort, Nats, and Nottingham Mountains are the most noted elevations.
Minerals. Brown oxide, and sulphuret of iron are found in va- rious localities. A valuable min- eral for paint (Terra-sienna) is also found here. Arsenical pyrites, argentiferous galena, and hema- tite, associated with quartz crys- tals, occur in several localities.
Employments. The larger por- tion of the inhabitants are engaged in agriculture. About 600,000 feet of lumber is annually sawed. A considerable number of the peo- ple are engaged in making wo- men's boots and shoes. (See tables.)
Resources. Productions of the soil, $92,492; mechanical labor, $6,400; stocks and bonds, $ 6,000; money at interest, $ 8,250; depos- its in savings banks, $63,492 ; stock in trade, $ 11,900.
Churches and Schools. Christian, Rev. B. Dickson, pastor; Congre- gational, Rev. F. H. Wales, pas- tor; Freewill Baptist, Rev. Joel Baker, pastor.
Hotel. Suncook Valley House. First Settlers. Epsom was granted to Theodore Atkinson and others, May 18, 1727. It received its name from Epsom, in England.
Indians. August 21, 1747, Mrs. Mc Coy was taken prisoner, and
carried to Canada, from whence she returned after the close of the French and Indian war. There were never any serious depreda- tions by them, beside killing a few cattle. The people, however, were frequently frightened, and would flee to the garrisons in Not- tingham, whenever an Indian alarm was given.
Maj. Andrew Mc Clary, a native of this town, was killed at the bat- tle of Bunker's Hill, June 17, 1775. In this battle he displayed great coolness and courage. When news of the battle of Lex- ington reached him, he left his plough in the furrough, and hast- ened to the battle field.
First Ministers. Rev. John Tucker, ordained in 1761, dismiss- ed in 1774; Rev. Ebenezer Hazel- tine, ordained in 1784, died in 1813.
Boundaries. North by Pitts- field, east by Northwood and Deer- field, south by Allenstown, and west by Pembroke and Chichester. Area, 19,200 acres.
Distances. Twelve miles east from Concord.
Railroads. Suncook Valley Railroad. The Concord and Rochester Railroad may pass through this town, east and west, via Northwood.
ERROL.
Coos COUNTY. In some por- tions the soil is good, and fair crops of oats, potatoes, and hay are produced.
Rivers and Ponds. In this town several considerable streams unite with the Androscoggin. Upon this river, in Errol, a large amount of money has been expended in erecting dams and clearing the
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
channel, for the purpose of driv- ing logs from the upper lakes to market, through the whole season. There are several ponds and small streams, which abound with trout.
Employments. Agriculture is the principal employment of the inhabitants. There is but little manufacturing in the town.
Resources. Productions of the soil, $ 20,929; mechanical labor, $1,600; money at interest, $1,200. Hotels. Dam House, Errol House, and Aker's House.
Schools. There are four schools in this town. Average length of schools for the year, eight weeks.
First Settlers. Erroll was grant- ed to Timothy Ruggles and others, February 28, 1774. Incorporated December 28, 1836.
Boundaries. North by Went- worth's Location, east by Umba- gog Lake and State of Maine, south by Cambridge and Dummer, and west by Millsfield. Improved land, 2,123 acres.
Distances. Thirty miles north north-east from Lancaster, and one hundred and fifty-nine miles north north-east from Concord.
EXETER.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. Exeter is half shire town of the county, and was the third town organized in New-Hampshire. It is situated on both sides of Squamscot river, which furnishes some valuable water power.
The surface of the town is gen- erally level, the soil quite good and well cultivated. Some of the best farms in the State are in this town. In 1870, a farm valued at $ 20,000 returned the annual value of production $2,500, paying for labor $ 400. One $ 25,000, reckon-
ing their labor, with what they hired, $ 2,500, and their receipts at $ 5,068. 60 acres, valued at $ 4,000, paid for labor $300; farm produc- tions, $ 2,300, of which $ 300 was for lumber. This is sufficient to show that farming, if properly at- tended to, will give a fair return for the investment, even in New- Hampshire.
Rivers. The town is watered by Exeter River, by the Indians called Squamscot. At the falls the tide water is separated from the fresh. Above the falls the stream assumes the name of Great River, to distinguish it from one of its smaller branches, called Little River. Great River and its branches furnish some valuable water power, which is generally improved.
Village. At Squamscot falls and at the head of navigation, and, by the course of the river about thirty miles from the Atlantic, is situa- ted the large and beautiful village of Exeter. Here, near these falls, commenced the first settlement in town under charge of the Rev. John Wheelwright,* over two hun- dred and thirty years ago; and ever since that date, Exeter has been making a history for herself, the State and Nation, in her emi- nent men, her popular schools, her general improvements, and her fine and picturesque village, as honorable and as broad as any town of her size in America. Here are located two of the most popu- lar literary institutions in the country. Phillips Exeter Acade- my was founded by Dr. John Phil- lips, a resident of Exeter, and a charter was obtained from the leg-
* See note in other part of this work, rela- tive to the " Wheelwright Deeds."
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EXETER.
islature of New-Hampshire, April 3, 1781, being the first charter granted by the State for an insti- tution of learning. It has been, and is to-day, the most popular institution of the kind in the coun- try. The light from this institu- sion has reflected through such national men, as Lewis Cass, Dan- iel Webster, John A. Dix, Edward Everett, George Bancroft, John P. Hale, and scores of other stars quite as brilliant, that we might mention if space would permit.
Through the generous bequest of William Robinson, Esq., a native and former resident of this town, but who passed his latter years in Georgia, the Robinson Female Seminary was established in 1867. It was opened for the reception of pupils, in 1869. This bequest amounted to the large sum of $ 250,000 which will make a per- manent fund in all time to come. Thus far, the school has met with unbounded success. (See Literary Institutions.)
There are eight church edifices, six school houses, (one a large high school building,) three banks, from forty to fifty stores of various kinds, three hotels, printing office, court house, county buildings, one of the finest depots in the State, one large cotton factory, one large brass machine shop, foundry, machine shop, carriage factory, potters' ware works, besides wool pulling busi- ness on an extensive scale, shoe making, harness making, monu- ments and marble works, tailors, milliners and various other trades common to a large New-Hampshire village. Their are also eight law- yers, six physicians, two dentists, many other professions and about three thousand five hundred inhab-
itants. The streets are wide and beautifully shaded with the elm and maple. Some of the most ancient and largest elms in the State, are in this village. Many of the pri- vate residences are among the most expensive in the State, while some of the business blocks have a metropolitan appearance. Many men do business in Boston fifty miles distant, and reside here, largely because of its superior school advantages, and other ad- vantages not obtained in or near a large city. The highways leading from Exeter to Portsmouth, Rye beach, Hampton beach, Newbury- port, Kingston, Epping and Dover are not to be surpassed by any like number in New-England. It is fourteen miles to Portsmouth, ten to Rye, nine to Hampton, fourteen to Newburyport, six to Kingston, eight to Epping and sixteen miles to Dover. Exeter has furnished her full share of public men both in the State and Nation. Two governors, covering a space of fifteen years; six justices of the court, thirty-two years; three Attorney generals, thirty-seven years; six presidents of the sen- ate, six members of the U. S., house of representatives, two U. S., senators, and many other officers, both of State and Nation. The tide rises about six feet at Exeter and the river admits ves- sels of over 200 tons burthen. Heavy articles, such as coal &c., generally come up the river.
Employments. The larger por- tion of the people are generally de- voted to manufacturing, mercan- tile and professional business.
The Exeter Manufacturing Co. annually produce 3,600,000 yards fine cotton sheetings, valued at
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